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Exploratory Research into the Adaptation and Implementation of the Magnetic Main Flux Method (MMFM) for UK Bridge Infrastructure

National Highways

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Aug 2026 at 13:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Highways Limited is planning exploratory research into adapting and implementing the Magnetic Main Flux Method (MMFM) for UK bridge infrastructure. MMFM is an advanced non-destructive testing technique intended to detect internal corrosion, wire breaks and deterioration in bridge cable systems. The research will examine its suitability and performance across ageing suspension, cable-stayed, prestressed and post-tensioned concrete structures, including cables protected by cement grout, galvanisation, coatings, high-density polyethylene sheathing and wax. It will investigate whether claims about quantitative corrosion assessment and residual cable capacity can be technically validated under UK environmental and operational conditions. The work is classified as research services and relates to National Highways’ strategic road network across England.

This process is at the planning stage and is preliminary market engagement, not a call for competition. National Highways expects to use the responses to understand feasibility, potential UK-based application, research partnerships, data calibration and future capability development. Interested organisations are invited to complete a market-engagement questionnaire by 31 August 2026 at 23:59. The buyer expects a subsequent notice on 5 October 2026. Any future research contract is planned as one lot, with an indicative delivery period from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027. The estimated value is £50,000 excluding VAT, or £60,000 including VAT. Engagement may inform technical specifications, pilot studies and later procurement routes, but participation will not create a future bidding advantage.

The engagement will suit universities, specialist research organisations, bridge-inspection providers and technology companies with expertise in magnetic flux methods, non-destructive testing or comparable cable-assessment technologies. National Highways is particularly seeking evidence of research capability, experience with MMFM or similar techniques, available testing equipment, analytical tools and possible areas for collaborative research. Useful preparation would include demonstrating the ability to assess corrosion, wire breaks and residual cable capacity through protective layers such as grout, galvanisation, coatings, HDPE sheathing and wax. Suppliers should be able to consider calibration and interpretation of data, validation under UK environmental and operational conditions, and the development of longer-term capability for bridge maintenance. The focus is exploratory research rather than commercial deployment.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Exploratory Research into the Adaptation and Implementation of the Magnetic Main Flux Method (MMFM) for UK Bridge Infrastructure

Notice Description

National Highways is a government owned organisation responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network National Highways seeks to undertake exploratory research into the Magnetic Main Flux Method (MMFM), an advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) technique used to detect internal corrosion, wire breaks, and deterioration in bridge cable systems. This research will investigate the method's suitability, performance, and adaptability for the United Kingdom's bridge stock, particularly within aging suspension, cable-stayed, prestressed and post-tensioned concrete structures. There are claims that MMFM could demonstrate effectiveness under various protective layers--including cement grout, galvanisation, coatings, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sheathing, and wax--while providing quantitative assessment of corrosion and residual cable capacity. This exploratory work aims to understand if these claims for MMFM can be technically validated, and adaption for deployment under UK environmental and operational conditions could be considered. This notice forms part of a preliminary market engagement process under the Procurement Act 2023. It is intended solely to support exploratory research and does not constitute a call for competition or commit National Highways to any future procurement. All information shared during this process will be managed in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.

Planning Information

The purpose of this market engagement is to gather information, insights, and research collaboration opportunities from organisations with experience in MMFM. National Highways wishes to understand the feasibility of UK‑based application, potential research partnerships, and requirements for data calibration, interpretation, and long‑term capability development. This exploratory research may inform future work oriented to technical specifications, pilot studies, and potential procurement pathways for integrating MMFM into national bridge maintenance strategies. Interested suppliers are invited to complete a Market Engagement questionnaire via the following link. https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/rZGdajuaXS This questionnaire seeks further information on supplier's research capability, experience with MMFM or similar technologies, available equipment, analytical tools and proposed areas for collaborative research. Responses should focus on exploratory research potential rather than commercial deployment. This notice is issued as a Preliminary Market Engagement notice under the Procurement Act 2023. It supports exploratory research and market understanding only and does not represent a call for competition or a commitment to any future procurement. Participation in this process will not confer any advantage in subsequent procurement activities.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dc67
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074202-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Oct 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
National Highways
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 6GA
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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